Nolan won't name QB yet

Published 4:00 am, Friday, August 15, 2008

Nobody in the 49ers' organization will acknowledge it, but the starting quarterback job is J.T. O'Sullivan's to lose.

That much was clear Thursday when coach Mike Nolan announced that the offseason acquisition, who started the preseason opener against the Raiders, will also start Saturday's 6 p.m. exhibition against the Green Bay Packers at Candlestick Park.

This time, O'Sullivan and the first unit are scheduled to play all the first half, leaving about a quarter each for the other two quarterbacks, Alex Smith and Shaun Hill.

Why Nolan won't come out and pronounce O'Sullivan as the leader in the competition is anyone's guess. Even if he doesn't have the No. 1 job sewn up, though, he's taken some giant steps in that direction. He again worked with the first team in practice Thursday afternoon.

It's been an especially trying week for Smith. He disclosed that his closest friend, David Edwards, 24, committed suicide Sunday. Smith will miss today's practice in order to attend a service for Edwards in the San Diego area. He's scheduled to fly back to the Bay Area on Saturday in time for the game.

Edwards was a housemate at Smith's home in Los Gatos for two years before moving back to San Diego last year. The two had been friends since they were 14, and Edwards often vacationed with the Smith family. The Friday service will be in the Smiths' backyard in Bonita.

Quarterback Shaun Hill practices at the first day of training camp for the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., on Friday, July 25, 2008.Photo by Paul Chinn / The Chronicle

Quarterback Shaun Hill practices at the first day of training camp for the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., on Friday, July 25, 2008.Photo by Paul Chinn / The Chronicle

Photo: Paul Chinn, The Chronicle

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Quarterback J.T. O'Sullivan practices on the first day of training camp for the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., on Friday, July 25, 2008.

Quarterback J.T. O'Sullivan practices on the first day of training camp for the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., on Friday, July 25, 2008.

Photo: Paul Chinn, The Chronicle

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From left, quarterbacks J.T. O'Sullivan, Alex Smith, Shaun Hill, and Kyle Wright practice at the first day of training camp for the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., on Friday, July 25, 2008.

From left, quarterbacks J.T. O'Sullivan, Alex Smith, Shaun Hill, and Kyle Wright practice at the first day of training camp for the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., on Friday, July 25, 2008.

Photo: Paul Chinn, The Chronicle

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Head coach Mike Nolan watches the offensive team practice at training camp for the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., on Friday, July 25, 2008.Photo by Paul Chinn / The Chronicle

Head coach Mike Nolan watches the offensive team practice at training camp for the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., on Friday, July 25, 2008.Photo by Paul Chinn / The Chronicle

Photo: Paul Chinn, The Chronicle

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Nolan won't name QB yet

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He was "really close with my family," Smith said. "So it's been difficult for everybody." He said, "It will be good to go down and see his old friends and family."

Smith found out about his friend's death Sunday after practice. He admitted he's had a hard time coping with the tragedy. He met with reporters Tuesday but didn't mention it. On the practice field, the former starter has found himself playing second fiddle to O'Sullivan.

There's been a dramatic shift in the quarterbacks' fortunes. At the start of training camp, Nolan had said, "It's important that we give them all equal opportunity." Before the Raiders game, he indicated that each would get a chance to play with the first team in an exhibition game.

On Thursday, he said, "At no time did I say that we would have one guy for one game and one the next. I said we wouldn't discuss the specifics because I didn't know what they were going to be."

He said the coaches are still evaluating the players. As to fairness of the competition, he said, "We're talking about what gives us the best opportunity to win. I'm still encouraged by all three quarterbacks. What's fair is fair to the team."

Hill admitted he was disappointed in the development. "I'd prefer different circumstances, but I've just got to make the most of it," he said.

In 25 minutes of action against the Raiders, O'Sullivan completed 5 of 8 passes for 71 yards with an interception and fumble. The 49ers were held without a touchdown in an 18-6 loss.

Now he'll play against the team he was with for 11 games as a No. 3 quarterback in 2004.

"It's another opportunity to show you can play," he said, "that you can be consistent and make the improvements on what happened in the last game, and (show) how you're growing each day in practice."

He said it's not his aim to show the Packers what they missed after they cut him at the start of the 2005 season. "It's a little unique any time I play an NFC North team because I know a lot of the guys personally," he said, "but that seems like a long time ago."

Briefly: Isaac Bruce may have to put in more than a cameo appearance Saturday, mainly because the team is short of wide receivers. Bryant Johnson and Arnaz Battle have strained hamstrings, and Ashley Lelie has a calf injury. None of them will play. ... While the first unit will play the first half, running back Frank Gore and Bruce will be excused well before intermission. ... Rookie Reggie Smith had an interception off O'Sullivan, and Dashon Goldson and Mark Roman had picks off Hill. ... Tight end Vernon Davis and rookie linebacker Larry Grant briefly exchanged punches before being separated.